New Delhi: While admitting that some National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-ruled states were registering high growth, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy says it is easier for them to show results as they are addressing "first generation problems." These states are benefiting from the flagship programmes of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, he said.
Chandy, who heads a Congress-led government in Kerala, said states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh were addressing "first generation problems" like poverty and lack of healthcare. "That is a good sign...in our country, these states are far behind. Because of flagship programmes of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), they can show wonders, but with that amount in Kerala, we cannot do, whether it is a Left or UDF (United Democractic Front) government," Chandy said in an interaction with IANS journalists at the agency's head office here.
Asked about the BJP harping on NDA-ruled states performing better than UPA-administered ones in GDP growth rate, Chandy said Congress states like Kerala had already made a lot of progress and were facing problems that needed huge capital. "We have achieved a lot... Now Kerala is facing second generation problems. In that area, we can show the result with hard work and huge investment," he said.
He identified quality education and old age health issues as some of the second generation problems facing the state.
Kerala has one of the highest life expectancy figures in the country which requires the state government to invest more money for geriatric care. Its success in education has been well noticed, but Chandy feels the state needs more investment in improving skills.
During his stay in the capital, Chandy met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to push projects for the state. He also met senior union ministers.
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